Public Safety

Two Galax residents were charged by a Grayson County grand jury with welfare fraud, after they receive benefits of more than $200 that they were not entitled to receive, according to the Galax Police Department and Galax Department of Social Services.
Galax police arrested Emily Kathleen Halsey, 33, and Jason Reedy, 38, on Nov. 7.
They are alleged to have made false statements and withheld information that would have affected their eligibility for benefits.

HILLSVILLE — Two Cincinnati, Ohio, men were caught in Surry County, N.C., after allegedly robbing a Pennsylvania man at the Love’s Truck Stop in Lambsburg on Nov. 8.
The Carroll Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly before 7 p.m. reporting that truck driver Caesar Barone was overpowered by two men who took his money at the business off Exit 1.

Police say a drunken driver caused a power outage that lasted throughout Friday morning, after she struck and split a utility pole at New River Trail State Park in Galax.
Ashley Millway, 25, of Galax, was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. She was taken to New River Valley Regoinal Jail.
One of three passengers in Millway’s vehicle was taken to Twin County Regional Hospital. The passenger was treated and released.

HILLSVILLE — Carroll County deputies are investigating a Friday morning fire on Coon Ridge Road as an arson.

Hillsville and Galax fire departments and Carroll Fire Rescue were dispatched to the residence after multiple calls came in from cell phones to Twin County E-911 at around 11:15 a.m.

It quickly became apparent that the circumstances around the fire were suspicious. Investigator Shannon Goad noted that two individuals knocked on the door at 186 Coon Ridge and then fought with the woman that was at home.

Galax police arrested Christopher Douglas Cecil, 27, of Woodlawn, on Tuesday after officers responded to a reported burglary at the Herman Manuel residence on Caldwell Street.
According to a Galax Police Department report, the responding officers were advised by the victim that someone had entered his home on Monday while he was gone and stole coins and money.
Cecil was arrested by Officer Drew Burnett after an investigation. Cecil is being held in the New River Valley Jail pending his appearance in the Galax General District Court.

HILLSVILLE — A 30-year-old Galax man fled from a Carroll County deputy last Friday and ended up crashing at Lead Mines Road, earning him multiple charges, according to Sheriff Warren Manning.
At about 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, Deputy Sheriff Mark Dickerson observed a red Isuzu rodeo driving recklessly on U.S. 58.
Dickerson tried to pull the vehicle over, but the suspect headed north on Interstate 77 instead.